Folklore, customs, and traditions call them what you will, are handed down to us from our ancestors. From generation to generation, stories would be told around a nice warm open fire to educate or simply entertain the children. These children once grown would take these tales with them all over the world and share them with their new neighbors and friends.

One of my customers in Arklow, County Wicklow told me "that in Poland to see a chimney sweep is very lucky, but once you see him, you must act very quickly, you cannot hesitate for a second, you must grab hold of a button on your shirt or jacket, then make a wish. Afterwards you can tell your friends and work mates that you saw a chimney sweep".

Mrs.Bonita Cullingford, in her book; British ChimneySweeps-Five Centuries of Chimney Sweeping says: "by tradition, though, chimney sweeps have always been taken as talismans of good fortune. Customs varied according to where one lived. In some parts of the country to tap a sweep's shoulder or touch his clothing, or even walk in his shadow is very lucky. One tradition, though remains paramount: the presence of a chimney sweep at a wedding. If a chimney sweep kisses the bride on the cheek then good fortune is sure to follow".

"No one knows why chimney sweeps are supposed to bring luck to a wedding. The tradition is thought to originate from the 18th Century, when it is rumoured that an unknown chimney sweep grabbed the reins of a panicking horse saving the rider from a fatal accident. The sweep then disappeared into the crowd before he could be thanked. The grateful rider, being none other then the king himself, afterwards declared that all chimney sweeps should be treated with honour. The 'luck' of the monarch then became the sweeps' talisman.

As founder of the chimney sweeps association of Ireland, I thought that it would be right and fitting to bring back this tradition. But instead of handing the bride and groom a one pound coin, such is the custom in Great Britian and Northern Ireland, I thought the coin I present should be special, a keepsake to hold and always remember. Alot of credit goes to one of my customers Mr. Terry Willers, the great cartoonist in Rathdrum, County Wicklow.

Terry designed a  cartoon of a chimney sweep in a  traditional top hat and costume presenting a piece of coal to the bride and groom. I then took the cartoon and had it printed on a large coin. 

On the back of the coin is the inscription; "May you always have wealth" in english and in Irish "Beidh saibhris ort go deo."

So if your looking for something different, but very traditional; then the Lucky Chimney Sweep Wedding Service is available for bookings. To book please e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or my mobile number is: 0872574267.

 Or, if you would like to purchase the lucky chimney sweep wedding coin as a wedding gift.I will ship it to you anywhere in the world. The presentation box includes a small bit of coal.When you present the coal to the bride you say:"May you always have heat in your hearth."

There are two coins one is silver plated the other is made of sterling silver.The  cost of supplying the Silver plated lucky chimney sweep wedding coin together with a little bit of coal ( customs permitting) in a presentation box is £60.00 / €65.00 / or $90.00  / plus p&p.

The cost of supplying the sterling silver wedding coin is available on request. 

Sweep's Luck,

Patrick